Leoben

Has there ever been a dual promotion? Say we get another 14-1/13-2 with the winner reversed, or an actual play off.

@Hankegami You captured my thoughts almost word for word. Essentially, I think Hoshoryu's last two wins against Kotozakura were fluke-y because of the context you described. He seems to be physically stronger this tournament, I'd speculate because it's the first in quite a while where he isn't injured and he's finally come into his 150kg frame, but even with the added weight and better physical condition he didn't have the power to go up against Atamifuji, and his two fellow Ozeki are also heavyweights with even better skills than the Isegahama man. He struggles against really heavy guys with decent belt fundamentals because they are able to keep him in front of them, block him from moving laterally and pivoting into his throws, and he just gets pushed backwards and loses. His recent losses to Atamifuji, Oho, and Onosato fit that pattern, as do a bunch of his losses in that 0-5 streak against Kotozakura.

Even though Hoshoryu has looked stronger, I think Kotozakura is the favorite now. Hoshoryu won their last two matches, but the head to head over the last year is 4-2 in Kotozakura's favor and I feel like the matchup is just generally unfavorable to him. I think he also has better tools to handle Onosato.

Onosato seems particularly vulnerable to the nodowa, whether it's the quick hit and release that Abi has deployed effectively against him, or Takanosho using it today to get inside where he can't bulldoze his opponents with his power. Surely it's a matter of experience and his coach will teach him how to overcome it.

Daieisho failing his thrusting attack and beating Onosato with a deep belt grip was not on my bingo for today.

For a second it looked like Hoshoryu would pick up his first loss today but the reversal was beautiful. I like that he hasn't had to rely on his signature retreating counter throws this tournament, hopefully it's a signal of growth. It's incredible how Onosato is able to push like that while standing practically upright, and against an opponent that matches his size. I don't find his sumo especially interesting but his physical talent is ridiculous.

Hoshoryu winning on day 1? Maybe this is finally the tournament where he puts it all together and performs to the level I know he can.

A couple years ago I read a comment about him on the sumo subreddit that has stuck with me ever since. Takakeisho isn't athletic, but he is magnificently conditioned to do one thing, and do it as well as someone with his physical attributes possibly could. I had never thought about him like that, and when I read that comment it made me respect him more, even if his style of sumo was never my favorite. It also made me appreciate the little nuances in his sumo, like @Katooshu mentioned.

I saw the clip for the fight posted on twitter and then I noticed it was only 4 seconds long and rolled my eyes

That was maybe the worst ruling I've seen since I started watching sumo. I don't want to be conspiratorial but it's really hard not to. Damn.

Now I want to see Hakuho in one of these training reports. Do any of the active guys make it competitive with him? I don't think so.

Great article, I'll be keeping an eye on him for sure. He's got great physical tools and 10 years of judo + 5 years of rugby experience are a really solid background to bring into sumo.

Choosing your battles takes skill

Congrats to Terunofuji. Can he make it 11? 12? In the last 2 years, he has a 100% win rate in tournaments he finishes so he still has something left in the tank. I don't think he should be under pressure to retire yet. The other interesting story for me has been Hakuoho, who finally looks like he has regained some of his pre-injury form. His utchari today was one of the moves of the tournament, just beautiful.

Same. His style was never my favorite, but he's been there at the top with that O next to his name since I first got into sumo. It will feel weird for him to not be Ozeki.